mother-in-law burning problems.

How far does it stick above your roof line? From your pictures it is kind of hard to tell. If you get a new EPA stove you might have to connect another piece to that pipe.

Vermont actually has quite a proactive program for matching up seniors for co-housing. Lot so folks who want to live independently that are "property rich but asset poor" that can live quite well with someone else helping out with expenses. I think the biggest issue is that most elderly folks are resistant to the concept but in rural Vermont there is basically not many options other than selling out and moving in town.

I'd have her open that baby up every morning, and let it rip. Burn that creosote off every morning. I have a monster wood stove in an outdoor shed attached to my shop. My cap looks like that, but it doesn't have the creosote buildup.

I thought a 'once a day' burn off was standard procedure for all chimneys?

Does the roof from that dormer hinder the upward flow of smoke? Maybe one more length of pipe will help?

logger said:

I cannot fathom how you run 2 stoves 24/7 in Colorado and only burn 3 cords of wood. Are we talking 4x4x8? I go through 4-5 with just one EPA approved stove.. 6 cords this year with the winter we experienced. Im guessing in the Rockies you're burning softer wood than my oak, cherry, locust, etc? I need to know your trick.

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Insulation, insulation, and (guess what) insulation...They may even cover up those fancy, expensive double (triple) paned windows at night that only have an R-value of 2-4.

He may have a backup heat source or rely heavily on passive solar...House could be smaller than yours too (usually not too much room to build above 8,000 ft, so houses tend to be smaller, cube-like. Getting a lot of sun this March so even though my temps are only 60/30 or 50/20, I have some passive solar that helps me not need to burn during the day unless it's real cold or overcast. (Put on a sweater and hat, house stays in the 62-64 range and then can heat up from 1-4 pm almost to 68-70 on a good March day.

I tend to see you N.Easters pumping a lot of heat back into the environment. And with big open floorplans not stout little boxes.
But I'm in a 1300 sq ft 2 story and will probably go through 2-3 cords this year, up to 4 on a full year...Neighbor with smoke dragon goes through 5-6.

Well, I'm not your MIL, but I plan to live in good health to 105! I also do all my own work although I will graciously allow my nephew to buck, c/s/s all my wood for me when I get to Oregon. I do plan to get an electric log splitter at that time . . . it's not how hard you work, it's how smart you work. Now, as to all that good cooking . . . wanna trade for some good baking? !

Why not talk with your MIL about the issues and give her two solutions that you like and let her choose from those. Then she feels like she made the decision and will be receptive to the changes.

Phoenix Hatchling said:

Isn't it illegal to burn the mother-in-law?

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I'm pretty sure they smoulder a lot and soot up the flue...too much moisture content. Then there is the s m e l l ...........

Kosmik said:

I tend to see you N.Easters pumping a lot of heat back into the environment. And with big open floorplans not stout little boxes.

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Congrats... that has to be the dumbest thing I've seen someone post on this forum since I joined.

Motor7 said:

Isn't it illegal to burn the mother-in-law?

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Depends, do you like her?

tigger said:

...Yes the gaskets and everything are original. I think a very large, noncat, simple to use stove might be in my future. Any recommendations.

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There are plenty of larger free standing stoves that are non catalytic for you to choose from.

If I were going to purchase a non-cat stove (large) I would start with the following:

Jotul F55 (or the rangley)
Buck 94NC
Osburn 2400 (free standing)
Drolet HT2000
Napolean 1900
Englander 30NC
Hearthstone Manchester, Mansfield, or Equinox
Pacific Energy Alderlea T6, or Summit

I am in the same situation, that I want to upgrade woodstoves. I have decided to go with a catalytic woodstove. The secondary burn system will be more like what she is used to.

I would think any of these stoves would heat her home as well (or better) than her current stove.

The ones in blue in my list require 8" stove pipe/chimney.

The ones I have seen in action (at dealers or in other's homes) are the Osburn 2400 Drolet HT2000 (in homes) and the Jotul F55 (dealer). All seemed to really throw heat. The Drolet has a really nice fit and finish for what most here would consider a bargain stove. I have yet to find a bad work about Osburn 2400 (free standing or insert). Jotuls are regarded as bulletproof, and the F55 has a lifetime warranty on the secondary burn system.

My $0.02

mudr said:

Just make sure she's seasoned for a minimum of 2 years, you'll be ok.

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But how do you measure the moisture on a fresh split without making a mess

smokedragon said:

But how do you measure the moisture on a fresh split without making a mess

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Oh. My. God. LOL

My MIL burns fine. Provided i fold her arms and legs underneath her to maximize the airflow....

If she is anything like my MIL if the house drops below 85* it's considered neglect and inhumane treatment. My parents use a Jotul F55 they like how easy it is to maintain a fire.

logger said:

Congrats... that has to be the dumbest thing I've seen someone post on this forum since I joined.

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I try.
Sorry I offended you.